The Shadow
Robert E. “Bob” Loving
Mr. Robert Edward “Bob” Loving, age 93, of Covington, died Monday, August 28, 2023, at his residence. He was the husband of Joyce Clarkson Loving to whom he was married to for 64 years.
Mr. Loving was born May 30, 1930, in Covington, the son of the late Vernon Walker Loving and Corina Blanche Evans Loving. Bob attended Ferrum College and Roanoke Business School prior to serving his country as a member of the United States Coast Guard. A lifetime resident of this community, Mr. Loving was employed as an electrician by Westvaco, retiring after forty years of service. Following his retirement from Westvaco, Bob worked at Loving Funeral Home for ten years.
Mr. Loving was a longtime member of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church, first attending in April 1938. Bob has also been a member of the Covington Volunteer Fire Department since May, 1959, serving as their treasurer for forty-two years. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #4.
Mr. Loving became a member of the Covington Lodge #171 AF&AM in 1957, serving as Worshipful Master in 1970 and later earning his fifty-year and sixty-year member status. Also in 1957, he became a member of Covington Royal Arch Chapter #18, serving as High Priest in 1994 and also earning his fifty-year and sixty-year member status. Bob served as Supreme Excellent Master in Asheville, NC. in 1990 as well as served as District Deputy Grand Master for District 23 in 1995. Mr. Loving was a sixty-year member of the Knights Templar, Alleghany Commandery #23 and was also a member of the Millboro Lodge #28 AF & AM and Kazim Shrine.
In addition to his wife, Joyce, Mr. Loving is survived by a daughter, Mary Carol Loving Persinger and husband, Jeffrey Scott Persinger and two grandchildren, Benjamin Walker Persinger and Rachael Daria Persinger.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Loving was preceded in death by an infant son.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 1, 2023, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Hollenbeck officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home.
Masonic rites will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at Loving Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be William David Loving, Harry David Loving, Jr., Ronnie Bostic, Mickey Bowyer, Jack Keyser, and Mike Henderson.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Clifton Forge Shrine Club (in order to aid in the care of crippled or burned children) 2811 Douthat Road, Clifton Forge, VA 24422
The family would like to thank Intrepid USA and Alleghany Highlands Homecare for all the wonderful care and assistance they gave to Bob and his family.
Loving Funeral Home is honored to handle the arrangements for our beloved friend and co-worker, Bob Loving; to view his tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
